Automatic Delivery eliminates worry over your heating oil supply!

If you recently bought home that is kept warm with heating oil, you likely have questions about how to manage your heating oil supply.

P. Gagnon & Son is here to help! We provide reliable heating oil delivery and service and have been serving the Seacoast Region since 1904. Our premium heating oil is a blend that includes ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO), environmentally friendly biodiesels, and UltraGuard, an additive that helps keep your heating system running smoothly and at its maximum efficiency, which can help cut your heating costs.

How does the float gauge in my heating oil tank work?

Most of today’s heating oil tanks employ a float gauge to let you know how much oil is in your tank.
The gauge is placed on the top of the oil tank. The visible part is a plastic vial with markings that read F or Full, ¾, ½, and ¼, and a disc used for indicating how full the tank is.

An arm extends down from the vial into the inside of the tank and has a float on the end. In the middle of the arm, there is a hinge. That hinge allows the float to lower as the supply of heating oil in the tank goes down. As that happens, the arm lowers the disc in the vial.

What do I need to read a heating oil tank gauge?

The only tool you need to read your heating oil tank gauge is your eyes (and glasses if you use them).

See where the plastic disc is located in the vial. Since some discs are thicker than others, the middle of the disc is probably the closest approximation of your heating oil supply.

When should I order more heating oil?

We strongly urge our customers to never let their tank gauge fall below ¼ full before contacting us to schedule a heating oil delivery.

Going lower than ¼ full can put you at risk of a runout, as very cold weather could cause you to use more heating oil than usual and bad weather may slow our delivery schedule.

Here’s approximately how many gallons of heating oil are left in your tank if it’s ¼ full.

275 gallons: 69 gallons

330 gallons: 82.5 gallons

How long that remaining oil will last will vary based on multiple factors such as the size of your home, the condition of your furnace or boiler, and how airtight and insulated your home is. But here’s an example of an estimate:

If outdoor temperatures average 32° over a 24-hour period, a typical 2,500 square foot house will burn about seven gallons of heating oil per day. So, for example, if temperatures hover around the freezing mark and you have a quarter of a tank of oil left in your 275-gallon tank (which, remember, holds 225 gallons), you’ll have a little more than 55 gallons left – about enough to last about a week.

However, if temperatures are colder than that, as they often are here in the Seacoast Region during winter, you could use up your heating oil faster than that. That’s why we make our recommendation to request a delivery before you fall below ¼ full.

If you run very low on, or out of, heating oil, we offer 24/7 emergency heating oil delivery services. Call us any time of day or night.

You can end worrying about running out of heating oil with P. Gagnon & Son’s Automatic Delivery option! We use the latest software, your heating oil usage history, current weather conditions, and the weather forecast to make an accurate calculation of when you will need more heating oil. With that data, we schedule a delivery, so you get your heating oil tank filled before you run low.

How much heating oil will I need to order?

This not only depends on how much oil is in your tank at the time of delivery, but the size of your heating oil tank as well.

As we noted above, the most common sizes of residential heating oil tanks are 275 and 330 gallons. However, those numbers represent the capacity of the tank, not how much heating oil will go into them. This is because there is always a bit of empty space left in the tank to allow for expansion and to prevent overfilling and the spilling of heating oil.

Here is the maximum capacity for each heating oil tank size:

275 gallons vertical: 250 gallons

275 gallons horizontal: 240 gallons

330 gallons vertical: 305 gallons

330 gallons horizontal: 288 gallons

TankSure® protects your tank and your wallet

Heating oil tank failure isn’t just a hassle. It’s expensive and bad for the environment.

With TankSure® heating oil tank protection, you can gain peace of mind knowing that your tank is corrosion-free with an annual inspection at an economical cost. Plus, it comes with a $1,800 replacement warranty in the event of any tank failure! Investing in this plan provides long-term protection for your home.

Become a P. Gagnon & Son customer and have dependable, worry-free heating oil delivery and service!

P. Gagnon & Son will make sure your heating system is ready for next winter

We’re in the home stretch towards Spring here in the Seacoast Region! That means many of us are looking forward to no longer needing to use our home’s furnace or boiler soon.

That makes now a great time to get an HVAC tune-up . This may not make sense right now, but there is sound reasoning behind this suggestion. Read on to learn more.

Advantages of late-season tune-ups

In the HVAC industry, this season is called “shoulder season,” as calls for furnace or boiler repair lull while air conditioning services are not yet in demand. Subsequently, our service department has seen an uptick in openings and provides accommodating scheduling availability for your heating system tune-up to be conducted at a time that works best for you. Plus, if any issues come up during the tune-up, it can usually be dealt with promptly!

Taking advantage of an HVAC tune-up today will provide you with the peace of mind that your boiler or furnace is in good condition and ready to go when needed. It eliminates the hassle of trying to schedule a tune-up in the fall when everyone else will be trying to do exactly that. Plus, if any unexpected cold snap occurs in autumn time, having taken care of your system ahead now provides security that you’ll be able to ride it out.

By the way, a tune-up is included in our HVAC service plans.

Why are tune-ups of my heating system important?

Frequent, professional maintenance of your heating system offers you many advantages. Here are just a few!

Prevent heating system breakdowns. Four out of five heating system repair jobs can be prevented with regular maintenance and inspection. During a tune-up, the P. Gagnon & Son service technicians not only perform essential maintenance but also conduct an extensive examination to detect any potential problems early on and prevent them from escalating into costly repairs. With consistent professional care, you’ll save money while avoiding inconvenient breakdowns!

Lower your energy bills. By maintaining your heating system properly, you can ensure optimal performance, keeping your home cozily warm while saving energy and money!

Protect your investment. Your furnace or boiler is a big investment in your home and its comfort, so maintenance should always be a priority. Taking proper care of your system will not only make it run more efficiently but also lower the amount of repairs needed, ensuring that you get maximum usage out of your investment. Investing time into maintenance now could help to extend the life of your heating system.

Protect your heating system’s warranty. Make sure that you receive yearly professional tune-ups as mandated by many manufacturers to keep your warranty valid. Without these regular maintenance check-ups, you risk voiding coverage and having to pay costly fees for repairs! Protect yourself now so that unexpected expenses don’t add up later on.

A tune-up now by P. Gagnon & Son helps your heating system now and down the road. Contact us today to schedule yours!

Get comfort and efficiency with a water heater from P. Gagnon & Son!

Did you know that water heaters are the second-largest users of energy in your home, behind only your HVAC system? It’s true!

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, water heating accounts for approximately 20% of your home’s energy costs.

P. Gagnon can help improve your home’s energy efficiency as well as provide comfort and convenience by installing high-efficiency water heaters. We also install Rinnai propane tankless water heaters that can slash your water heating energy costs while also giving you endless hot water, on-demand!

If you’re wondering if it’s time to replace your home’s water heater, we’ve put together some information for you.

What is the age of my water heater?

Generally speaking, storage water heaters with a tank have an expected lifespan of 8 – 10 years.

Wondering how long your water heater has been around? Here’s a quick guide to help you pinpoint its age:

Locate the serial number of your water heater, which is typically situated on its upper part of the unit. The serial number will start with a letter followed by a series of numbers. The letter indicates the month in which it was manufactured (“A” for January, “B” for February, etc.), with the immediately following numbers being the year. So, if your water heater’s serial number starts with “J13,” the “J” is for October, and the “13” is for 2013, meaning that your water heater was manufactured in October of 2013.

When should I replace my water heater?

While age is a factor in when you will need to replace your water heater, there are other contributing factors.

For example, how well-maintained is your water heater?

Has the anode rod, also known as the sacrificial rod, been checked regularly, and replaced as needed? This rod attracts minerals that would otherwise contribute to corrosion of your water heater tank. The minerals eventually corrode the rod, so it needs to be replaced eventually so your tank continues to be protected.

Has the water heater tank been bled regularly? This maintenance helps prevent sediment from building up at the bottom or the tank and causing corrosion. Not bleeding it can accelerate water heater tank failure.

There are also these signs that your water heater may need replacing.

1. Water around or under the water heater tank. This is a sign of leaking, which means tank failure is likely imminent. If you see this, contact P. Gagnon & Son.
2. Your energy costs have inexplicably gone up. If you’ve noticed a sharp spike in your energy bills that can’t be attributed to an increase in fuel costs or usage, you may want to take a closer look at your water heater – it just might be the cause of these bigger bills. Over time, water heaters become less and less efficient. Investing in a new high efficiency one now will save you money for years to come.
3. Rusty water. If you notice rusty water coming out of your faucet when you use hot water, it is likely a sign that there is corrosion in your water heater tank. That means you are probably facing tank failure soon.
4. The water heater is making weird noises. If you’re hearing a growling or gurgling sound from your storage tank, it’s usually an indicator of sediment build-up. This is a serious problem, and you need to contact us.

Upgrade to a new water heater and enjoy comfort and energy efficiency! Contact P. Gagnon today for your FREE estimate .

Minimize your energy costs while maximizing comfort.

Are your home’s heating and cooling systems still run by manual thermostats? If so, you are missing out on maximizing their energy efficiency and minimizing your heating and cooling costs!

P. Gagnon & Son sells and installs quality programmable thermostats that make keeping your home comfortable easy. You can also save a lot of money by using a programmable thermostat, but how much? According to the U.S. Department of Energy, using your programmable thermostat correctly can cut your heating and cooling energy costs by 10% a year! When you consider that heating and cooling accounts for approximately half of your home’s energy consumption and costs, you can see what a great investment a programmable thermostat can be!

Even if you have a programmable thermostat, you may not be using it properly to optimize energy efficiency. So, we’ve put together some steps to make sure you get the most out of your thermostat.

[h3]Set your thermostat for savings

Look at the settings on your thermostat. Usually, there’s one for heating and cooling. Make sure it’s set on the right one. If it’s set to “OFF,” neither your heating system nor your central air conditioning systems will run.

There is also a setting for the fan, with the options of “AUTO” or “ON.” When set to “ON,” the fan will operate continuously to circulate air around your ductwork. It can come in handy if someone has burned dinner and you want to help circulate the air out of your kitchen and eventually out of your home. But if you leave it on, it can be a big waster of energy. The “AUTO” setting only turns on the fan when it is needed to get the air in your home to the temperature you set on the thermostat.

For your everyday settings, the Department of Energy offers these guidelines:

• When you’re at home and awake, set the thermostat for 68°F for heating and 78°F for cooling.  
• Lower heating system temperatures by 7° to 10° or shut off the air conditioning for the hours you’re asleep or out of the house.  

Don’t make the all-too-frequent mistake of setting your programmable thermostat to crank up the heat or air conditioning when you get home under the misguided belief that doing so will get your home comfortable faster. It won’t, and you’ll just waste energy, defeating the purpose of your programmable thermostat. Instead, program your thermostat to adjust to your desired temperature 30 to 60 minutes before you plan to get home. That way, your heating system can efficiently get it to that temperature, so you come home to comfort.

Programmable thermostats also allow you to set multiple programs, such as one for weekdays, one for weekends, and one for vacations.

You may decide to install a smart thermostat for your home. These offer many benefits. Smart thermostats ensure that you can remain in full control of your home’s climate, even when on vacation! As long as there is an internet signal or WiFi connection available, you can access and modify the thermostat settings using your smartphone. There are no more concerns about forgetting to set the thermostat before you leave the house.

A smart thermostat also keeps an eye on your home’s HVAC system. It can alert you when it’s time to replace your air filter when maintenance is required if something is wrong and you need a service call, and how much energy your system consumes so you can adjust your settings if necessary.
 
Ready to upgrade your home’s heating and cooling with a programmable thermostat? Contact P. Gagnon & Son today to get started!

Make sure P. Gagnon & Son can deliver your propane!

Winter can be fun here in the Seacoast Region, with skiing, snowmobiling, and other outdoor fun. Shoveling or snow blowing your driveway probably isn’t on your list of fun things to do in the winter. However, it needs to get done for many reasons.

The trained and experienced propane delivery drivers at P. Gagnon & Son are committed to upholding the highest standards for safety in their work. If they cannot safely get down your driveway or to your propane tank, they will not be able to deliver the propane you need to keep your home warm, safe, and comfortable.

To ensure safe access for our delivery trucks, we kindly ask that our customers clear their driveways to a width of at least 10 feet. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated!

If your driveway has an incline, please consider spreading salt and/or sand on it. This is especially important since our delivery trucks are heavier than most cars that use your driveway.

Our delivery drivers require a pathway at least one foot wide between the driveway and the tank. If you are planning to hire someone for snow removal this season, we ask that show them exactly where the tank and path to it are in order to prevent them from blocking access during their work.

Heavy snowfall may obscure the location of your propane tank. Make it easy to spot by setting up a tall pole with a brightly colored flag or ribbon on top next to your propane tank.

Are you going away for a vacation somewhere warm, or perhaps a ski trip? Please arrange for snow and ice removal for while you are gone in case you need a propane delivery during that time.

Take good care of your propane tank

After every snowfall, use a broom to sweep away the accumulation of snow. Avoid using a shovel as this may cause damage to the tank and its components.

Why is it important to keep snow from accumulating on your propane tank? That weight, whether it’s accumulated over several snowfalls or from one heavy snowstorm, can put pressure on valves and connectors, which could lead to ruptures or misalignments. If there is a leak and the amount of snow prevents that leaked propane gas from dispersing into the air, it can create a dangerous buildup of gas.

There’s another reason that keeping your tank clear of snow is essential.

When temperatures drop, propane gas may shrink in volume. In extreme cold, its pressure can decrease so much that the propane gas is no longer able to reach your home’s appliances. Sunlight is your propane tank’s best friend; it helps maintain a safe pressure level. Without the sun, however, snow can start to accumulate and impede warming efforts — posing a risk of leaving you without heat in your home!

Keep P. Gagnon & Son informed

If you are an Automatic Delivery customer and plan on being away from home for more than just a week or so, please let us know.

We need to know if you’ll be away from home because we calculate the perfect time for delivery based on your propane usage history at this time of year. Letting us know in advance will prevent an unnecessary delivery and help ensure that you always have enough propane when needed.

P. Gagnon & Son helps keep your home comfortably warm with reliable propane delivery. Become a customer today!

P. Gagnon & Son helps protect you from costs of heating oil tank failure

If your home’s heating oil tank is close to or has already surpassed its life expectancy of 20 years, it’s time to begin planning for a replacement.

Whatever the age of your heating oil tank, TankSure® heating oil tank protection is a great investment in protecting your heating oil tank and protecting you from large costs that can come with a heating oil tank failure.

Our affordable TankSure plan includes an annual inspection to detect heating oil tank corrosion, the leading cause of heating oil tank failure, along with an $1,800 tank replacement warranty.

How much can a heating oil tank failure cost?

Replacing your heating oil tank can cost you a lot of money if you are making the replacement because of a tank failure. First, you need to pay for the removal and disposal of your current tank, along with soil contamination tests. You then need to pay for the installation of your new heating oil tank.

If the soil testing results indicate that heating oil has contaminated your property, you may be looking at costly remediation fees. Even a minimal amount of contaminated soil can cause thousands of dollars in remediation costs.

There is more bad news: Unfortunately, most homeowner’s insurance does not cover expenditures for a heating oil tank failure, leaving you with sole responsibility for those costs.

A Massachusetts family was at risk of losing their home earlier this year after a heating oil tank failure led to remediation costs of more than $150,000.

TankSure tank protection can help prevent that from happening to you, thanks to the annual inspections allowing us to detect problems before your heating oil tank fails, allowing you the opportunity to replace your tank.

UltraGuard: Even more tank protection!

P. Gagnon & Son also helps keep your heating oil tank operating safely thanks to our premium quality heating oil. First, it contains biodiesels, made from natural resources such as plant oils and algae.

We go further by treating our heating oil with UltraGuard, an additive that not only is good for your oil-fired heating system, but it also is good for your heating oil tank! It reduces fungal and bacterial growth, and protects your tank from corrosion from the inside out, which is a leading cause of heating oil tank failure.

You can enjoy the benefits of our top-quality heating oil and have peace of mind about your heating oil tank as well as your heating oil supply with P. Gagnon & Son’s Automatic Delivery option. We use the latest software along with a tried-and true calculation to calculate your heating oil usage based on your prior usage and current weather conditions. With that calculation, we accurately know when you’ll need more heating oil and schedule a delivery before you run low. You don’t have to check your tank gauge or make a delivery request; we handle it all!

Don’t let a heating oil tank failure break the bank. Contact P. Gagnon & Son today to learn more about our TankSure® program.

Whichever you use, P. Gagnon & Son has you covered!

You have a lot of options when it comes to the energy sources you use in your home. That gives you the freedom to make choices based on what works best for your family’s needs as well as your budget.

However, all those choices may be overwhelming. If you’re facing having to make this decision, you may have a little analysis paralysis. P. Gagnon & Son is here to help! We’ll go over the options you have and show you some of the key features of each, which may help you bring our needs and priorities into sharper focus, helping you to more easily make your decision on an energy source for your home.

Propane

More and more folks here in the Seacoast Region are discovering the advantages that propane can bring to their homes. With reliable propane delivery from P. Gagnon & Son, you can enjoy the comfort and security propane offers.

• Propane-powered equipment is more efficient than equipment using other fuels.
• Propane is an environmentally friendly fuel, being named as an alternative fuel by the U.S. Government.
• Propane heating systems usually need less maintenance and can last longer than other heating systems.
• With propane being nontoxic and nonpoisonous, you don’t have to worry about it polluting groundwater or soil if there’s a leak. This fact makes it safe to bury propane tanks out of sight.
• Not only can propane be used for home heating, but it is also a fantastic power source for appliances like ranges, dishwashers, laundry machines, fireplaces, and water heaters. A propane whole-house backup generator keeps your home running even when the electricity goes out.
• Propane is easy and safe to transport because it gets compressed into a liquid. If you’ve ever exchanged or refilled a portable gas cylinder for your grill, then you know how that works.
• When you buy propane, you’re not only getting a clean-burning energy source for your home or business. You’re also doing your part to help America become more energy independent because virtually all of our propane supply is domestically produced.

Heating oil

Heating oil is one of the more common energy sources for home heating. However, much has changed in heating oil in the last few decades with the introduction of ultra-low sulfur heating oil (ULSHO) and biodiesel blends. Our dependable heating oil delivery and our premium fuel, which is a blend of ULSHO and up to 5% biodiesels, making it cleaner burning, as well as our UltraGuard additive that protects your heating oil tank from corrosion while helping your heating system run more efficiently.
Other advantages of heating oil include:

• Heating oil has a high-BTU output and gets your home warm faster than any other energy source for heating.
• Oil-fired heating systems tend to cost the least.
• Between ULSHO, biodiesels, and high-efficiency heating systems, your heating costs can be low.

Natural gas

Natural gas offers many similar benefits as propane, without having to schedule deliveries. However, there are some disadvantages.

• To enjoy the benefits of natural gas, you need to live in a neighborhood where a natural gas utility has gas lines. If those gas lines don’t run from the street to your home, adding them can cost thousands of dollars on top of running gas lines inside your home.
• You are at the mercy of a natural gas utility and its dubious infrastructure. With propane, your gas supply is stored at your home in your propane tank.
• Unlike propane, natural gas contains methane, a greenhouse gas, which means emissions from natural gas are not environmentally friendly like propane.
• Propane has twice the BTUs of natural gas, making it a more efficient and cost-effective energy source.

Electricity

While electricity is excellent for many things, we still have not reached the point where it can completely replace other forms of energy.

• Electricity is not as environmentally friendly as its proponents claim. More than 60% of the U.S. electrical supply is created by coal-fired power plants. In fact, electricity generation is second only to transportation when it comes to the creation of greenhouse gases.
• Electric heating systems not only take longer to raise the temperature to a comfortable level, but also have difficulty maintaining that warmth—meaning it has to run more frequently and for longer periods than propane or heating oil. In other words, using electricity for home heating could send your energy costs through the roof.

Become a P. Gagnon & Son customer for the most reliable heating oil and propane delivery in the Seacoast region!

You can count on P. Gagnon & Son for expert boiler installation and service!

Home heating systems can be broadly classified into two categories: forced air or hydronic.
A furnace is a forced-air heating system. A boiler is hydronic.

P. Gagnon & Son is your boiler installation, maintenance, and repair specialist for oil-fired and gas-fired boilers. With our cost-effective service plans, you can set your mind at ease because we offer an annual maintenance tune-up to keep your boiler running smoothly and efficiently, saving you money on heating costs. Plus, many of our plans cover the cost of parts and labor for boiler repairs if something does go wrong down the line.

Here is some crucial information about boilers for those of you who have one in your home.

How a boiler works

People often mistake boilers for water heaters, but they are not the same. Some water heaters use a home’s heating system, but there are distinct differences between the two types of equipment.

A boiler is a system that uses water to generate heat and circulates it around your home. It is a closed-loop system, which means it does not need fresh water brought into it and the water inside a boiler does not need to be potable.

The components of a boiler include:

• burner, where the fuel (gas or oil) is combusted
• heat exchanger, where the heat produced by combustion is sent and steam is generated
• piping, which distributes the steam through your home
• valves, which are on gas boilers to let the boiler receive the gas needed to ignite the pilot light and burner
• vent, which allows the built-up gases to safely exit your home

A boiler-based heating system is not just the boiler. There are also baseboards, pipes, radiators, and a circulator pump. The boiler heats the water and then, depending on which type of system it is, releases the hot water or steam throughout pipes connecting to radiators located in various rooms of your home. The hot water or steam passes quickly through the radiator tubes’ thick metal walls to distribute heat evenly throughout the room. The water or steam that has cooled and condensed back into liquid form is directed through the boiler’s piping system back to restart the whole process.

What are signs my boiler has a problem?

Professional maintenance by P. Gagnon & Son is key to keeping your boiler running smoothly, but sometimes issues can still arise during heating season. If you see any of the following problems, don’t hesitate to give us a call so we can send out a service technician.

• leaking
• no heat
• frozen condensate pipe
• cold patches in radiators
• unusual noises such as whistling (also known as “kettling” as it sounds like a tea kettle when it’s boiling), banging, or gurgling
• pilot light keeps going out
• boiler keeps switching off
• boiler keeps running after set temperature has been reached

Get your home’s boiler ready for the cold winter ahead by scheduling an annual maintenance tune-up today. By enrolling in a boiler service plan now, you can make sure your family stays comfortable all season long. Contact P. Gagnon & Son today to get started!

P. Gagnon & Son can take care of all things related to your home’s furnace

P. Gagnon & Son provides expert furnace installation, maintenance, and repairs with our team of trained and experienced service technicians.

Thanks to our propane and heating oil delivery services, you don’t have to worry about your furnace running out of fuel in the middle of winter. We’ll make sure it always has enough to keep your home warm, safe, and comfortable.

So, you have a furnace in your home. But what do you really know about it? Get to know your furnace better with these commonly asked questions.

What is a furnace and how does it heat my home?

A furnace is an appliance that creates and circulates warm air to heat your home. The first attempt at a central heating system was done in ancient Rome. It was called a hypocaust and was used for heating baths and other public buildings. It then became a status symbol for the wealthy and was used throughout Europe and Africa. The hypocaust, however, proved to be dangerous because of the risk of fire or suffocation.

The furnace is one of the oldest types of heating systems still in use today. Alice Parker invented and patented the modern central heating system in 1919, which went on to the creation of the furnace systems we use now. Furnaces were traditionally powered by coal and wood, but today they use heating oil, propane, natural gas or electricity.

Your furnace will automatically kick on when the indoor temperature falls below the desired setting on your thermostat.

The burner is where your fuel is combusted. The heat exchanger is where the combusted fuel heats the air coming into the furnace through the vent. The blower fan distributes that air throughout your home using your ductwork.

Furnace maintenance tips

You can help your furnace run efficiently and safely in three ways.

The first way is to get an annual maintenance tune-up for your furnace from our skilled service technicians. We will clean and tune up every component of your furnace to ensure that it is running at its best efficiency, which helps save you money on energy costs. A tune-up also allows us to spot any problems and fix them before they become worse, breakdowns occur, and repair bills add up.

A service plan from P. Gagnon & Son for your furnace not only provides an annual tune-up but also covers many parts and labor costs associated with furnace repair, making it a wise investment in the longevity of your furnace.

The third way to take care of your furnace is by regularly changing the air filter. Dirty, clogged air filters reduce your furnace’s efficiency and can lead to damage of parts in your furnace. Check your filter at least once a month and change it as needed.

How long do furnaces last?

A furnace typically lasts 10-15 years, but consistent professional maintenance by the trained and skilled P. Gagnon & Son service technicians can help increase its lifespan.

There will come a time, however, when furnace replacement is needed. Older furnaces tend to become less efficient over time, especially if they haven’t been maintained properly. A new furnace will start paying for itself through lower energy costs from the moment its installed. If you’re debating whether to repair or replace your existing furnace and the repairs would cost more than half of a replacement, going with the latter option is better from a monetary standpoint.

Trust P. Gagnon & Son with your furnace needs. Contact us for a FREE estimate.

Trust P. Gagnon & Son with your water heater installation and service!

The average life expectancy of a conventional storage-tank water heater is between 10 and 12 years. If your water heater is approaching or is at that age, now is the time to begin planning for its successor.

P. Gagnon & Son can handle all your water heater needs, with expert water heaterinstallation, maintenance, and repairs. Our affordable service plans also help protect your new water heater and help to shield you from big repair bills.

Let’s run through the three main types of water heaters on the market.

Storage tank water heaters

A regular tank water heater stores and heats large quantities of water so it’s readily available whenever you need it. The pipe on top of the tank transports hot water to where it’s needed, like the dishwasher, shower, or washing machine.

If you’re looking to save money on your energy bill, replacing your old tank water heater with a new one is a great option. Tank water heaters are affordably priced and easy to install, making them a popular choice among homeowners.

Tankless water heaters

A standard tank water heater stores all the hot water your home has at any given time. It has to regularly heat and reheat the water throughout the day and night so that you have hot water whenever you need it.

A tankless water heater only heats water when you need it, as opposed to continuously heating an entire tank of water. This provides endless hot water without the worry of how much is in the tank.

A tankless water heater has the potential to lower your water heating energy costs by up to 40%. Since Water heating typically accounts for about 20% of your total energy bill, you could see some significant savings!

Tankless water heaters have a life expectancy of 20 years or more, twice as long as traditional tank water heaters.

Indirect water heaters

These types of systems heat your water using your home’s heating system.

Indirect water heating systems are very energy efficient, especially during the heating season. However, they need to be connected to your home’s heating system. This makes installation more expensive than conventional and tankless water heaters.

How to tell if you need a new water heater

The best time for water heater replacement is when you’re not forced into it by a water heater failure. This gives you time to consider your options and be confident in your choice of a new water heater.

Water heater failure doesn’t come out of nowhere. There are almost always telltale signs leading up to it, which is why you should check your water heater regularly. If you see any of the following, give P. Gagnon & Son a call so we can send someone over for repair service:

• If you notice puddles or wet spots on your floor, it’s possible that there is a leak in your tank.
• Rusty water coming from your faucets indicates that there is corrosion in your water heater tank.
• Strange noises coming from your water heater, such as rumbling or banging, may mean that there is sediment buildup at the bottom of the tank. This can happen over time and may eventually harden, causing problems with your water heater.
• If the water never gets hot enough, it might be a sign that there are mineral deposits forming and separating the burner from the heater.

P. Gagnon & Son is here to help you with all your water heating needs. Get a FREE estimate for your new water heater!